prospective pilot jobs in ireland?
 

Hi all,

Firstly let me apologize if this has been asked before ( i haven't found the thread if it has :ugh:)

I am just about to start my training for my ATPL license. I live in N.Ireland with my wife and daughter.
My wifes career is already in full swing and relocation isnt really an option for us. I'm trying to figure out if it would be at all wise for me to spend all that money and complete my training to ATPL?

Does anyone know if there would be Airline Pilot careers based in N.Ireland or the Rep of Ireland within the next few years? I know its difficult to answer but just really looking from some feedback from people who may have an idea.

I have emailed a few Airlines here and asked the same questions, but im still waiting for a response....

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this, and hopefully respond too.

You will be lucky to find a job anywhere in the world full stop to be honest. Your big hope in Ireland is CityJet ... and they may not even base you in dublin. Northern Ireland won't happen I'm afraid. Thomas cook are closing their pilot base there and easyJet don't take low hour people outside CTC/OAA/FTE. It's also highly unlikely Ryanair will base you in Dublin too ... expect the continent. Aer Lingus have taken low hour guys in the past, but that truly is a lottery. I wouldn't plan on it.

Factor in moving your family or you moving and not seeing much of them. Also factor in spending at least a year with no flying income post graduation ... some don't take that long and some take longer to find their first job.

That sounds very grim I know ... I'm afraid that is how it is though.

I wish you luck

Ryanair are one of the main employers of new low hour pilots who have just qualified. It's impossible to say where they would base you, but their culture has seemed to change somewhat in the past year or so, with them now being more attentive to pilots requirements and giving them their preferred base IF there's availability there. Stobart also hire low hour pilots, they have bases in Dublin, cork, Isle of Man and London Southend.

And apparently cityjet are not hiring any new first officers for the foreseeable future.

Post qualification is uncertain, some pilots get a job within weeks, others wait months and even years.

Where did you hear this?

Cityjet are not hiring low hour guys at the minute so don't see that as the best option. Stobart Air are hiring a lot of Irish guys and good chance you could get Dublin.

Not really sure where all this talk of cityjet no longer hiring low hr FOs is coming from ... I was told by flt ops there to send in my CV when I had the license. I also know of quite a few who have joined within the last month. They are expanding rapidly and looking for pilots of all types (more experience is of course more welcome but they are still hiring low hr guys from what i am told).

If you want to be based in N. Ireland you can choose from EZY, RYR, Jet2 at BFS, however the waiting lists at those airlines to move to BFS are very long, I've heard 10 years quoted for EZY. If you managed to get into Flybe, you would probably be in post at BHD within 2 years (I was told by HR), Flybe is probably your best hope of living and flying in NI simultaneously. You need to realise that if you get your preferred base of choice you may have to move out of it once you do your command upgrade; you have to start the process of bidding (as a new Capt) for your preferred base all over again. There are other operators in NI such as DHL, Star Air etc, but again it's a small operation.

On the island of Ireland as a whole, you can add Aer Lingus, Cityjet, Ryanair and Stobart Air into the mix which gives you a few more options. It should be noted however that Aer Lingus is notoriously difficult to get into as a cadet or a DEFO so don't hedge too many bets on it!

With a bit of experience behind you, you could maybe apply for a LH airline such as BA, Virgin Atlantic, Norwegian which in theory would allow you more days off than SH; you could then commute between London and BFS on your days off.

Aviation is relatively small industry in the U.K., nevermind NI. I don't want to get you down, but I would not get your hopes up of working as a pilot in NI in the near future. I'm in the same situation as you so have researched my options extensively, though my girl is flexible and is willing/able to relocate with me. I would suggest that you and your partner seriously consider your options.

In my course about 4 months ago in easyJet a couple of guys got BFS base straight away. Cadets.

For Captain I am sure it's a different story, but for F/Os the waiting list is sure not that long

Cityjet have min hour requirements on any of their job vacancies I have seen advertised. Recent one was 1,000 TT and 500 on type. I sent my cv into them over a year ago and heard nothing.

You haven't even started your ATPL's have you? After that CPL/IR MCC JOC!

I'd get through that lot first before worrying about which airline will employ you, if any, in the short to medium term. Be prepared to take any airline job anywhere. It's a s simple or difficult as that. All the best

This is it, they are but they don't necessarily advertise it. If you email them your CV, have a decent score in the ATPLs etc and they like what they see you'll find they do hire 200hr guys. I have seen them myself, a number of which were actually put onto the SSJ. In May around 2 people joined, also with 200hrs.

Over the past year they have hired many 200hr people too, they may not have called you but others have certainly been called.

Glad to hear they do consider low hour guys Officer Kite. Its a while ago since I applied and I didnt really push my application too much. I have since secured an FO position to worked out in the end. Hopefully other low hour lads will get an opportunity with Cityjet.

That's great to hear you got something in the end :)